More than a feeling...

So those of you of a certain generational range have probably heard the news of Brad Delp's passing. I, personally, was caught by surprise — not so much by the death itself, which is sad and "untimely" (the newspapers keep saying that, though as I write this they don't know quite yet why he died, and he was just 55)—but because I had no idea the news of it would throw me quite as much as it did. It, in fact, triggered a bittersweet nostalgia fit nonpareil. Brad Delp was the lead singer of Boston, but I'm not sure my nostalgia fit is about the band, per se. In fact, I haven't decided quite yet whether I think Boston is a band for the ages, unlike, say, other bands who were huge in the 70s, like Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith. For instance: I have a friend in LA who played music in San Francisco in the 90's like I did (he now develops cartoons for Nickelodeon and The Cartoon Network), and his son is just 11 and learning to play drums. His son's favorite song is "Stairway to Heaven," a song about 25 years older than he is. But this is as it should be.:) (And good parenting, Dave!) I think everyone's favorite song, at one time or another, ought to be "Stairway to Heaven." And odds are Dave's son's son will discover "Stairway to Heaven," too, with the same sense of "Holy cow!" It's quite a big song. :) A rite-of-passage song.

But Boston? I'm less certain about Dave's son's son discovering "More Than a Feeling" with that same sense of epiphany, but I could be wrong. Like I said, I think my nostalgia fit is less about the band and more about how evocative their songs were of a time and place for me and millions of other people: more than any other band, more any other song, Boston and "More Than a Feeling" say "1976" to me profoundly. I wasn't quite a teenager when I first heard that song, but I remember it was EVERYWHERE. Pouring out of my brother's bedroom, out of rolled-down car windows on the street, played endlessly on the Album Rock Radio Stations in the Bay Area, like KOME and KSJO, for years thereafter. In my memories of it, for some reason it's always summer, too. I was at that age where music starts to become very important, and that song just burrowed in.

At the time it was released, "Boston" became the biggest selling record of ALL TIME. That sales record has since been surpassed a number of times by a number of different bands, but that goes a long way toward explaining why it was everywhere. We all LOVED it. Went crazy mad for it. And the names of everyone in that band became household words in my house anyway, because my brother was a guitar player, too. It was one of the very first "real" songs I learned how to play on guitar, too—it's pretty easy. D with a G in it. :) I got my guitar out yesterday to see if I could remember it, and my fingers still know it.

I saw Boston in concert some years later, at a Day on the Green—my very first big concert. Then I went on to become Miss Alternative Music snob, and probably sneered a bit at them. Some years after that I relaxed and decided I could like whatever I bloody well pleased. LOL. And now it's funny: the lyrics of "More than a Feeling" are kind of wistful, but the feel of the song itself is soaring and happy. And somehow I feel a blend of all of those things when I hear "More Than a Feeling" now. Like...the song grew into itself.

So let's all raise our Bic lighters up high for Brad Delp one more time (and marvel at the truly, truly, TERRIBLE hair -- honestly, the 70's were the WORST decade for hair for men—it's like conditioner hadn't been invented), "close our eyes and slip away," and enjoy "More Than a Feeling." And much, much gratitude for the memories, Brad. (The song's below, in case YouTube isn't cooperating).

More Than A Feeling

What about you guys—can you think of any songs, or pieces of music, that are REALLY evocative of a time or place for you? (P.S. the YouTube site seems to down right at this moment, so you may or may not see the video right away. Usually it comes back up fairly soon.)

Comments

[Kathy K]

Boy Julie, does *that* bring back memories. I graduated in 1977, so "More Than a Feeling" was one of those songs that I'll never forget. And even now, when I hear the song come on the radio, I just sit back and close my eyes. It really takes me someplace else and I don't really know if I can explain it well, but it's a peaceful place in a separate time.

Other songs [and/or artists] that are really evocative for me are:

Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" album ~ I attended a concert here in Edmonton back in '76 or '77 ~ wow! And it's an album that my kids (read *daughters*) all listen to.

The Eagles ~ "Hotel California"...actually just about anything by the band. And again, I was able to attend a concert here in Edmonton back in the 70's ... probably around '77 or '78.

Supertramp ~ album "Even in the Quietest Moments" and "Breakfast in America"

Steve Miller Band ~ "Fly Like an Eagle" and just about anything else from the 1974 to '78 Best Hits Album

Joe Walsh ~ "Life's Been Good to Me"

Captain & Tennille ~ "Love Will Keep Us Together" (I was 16 ^.^) and "The Wedding Song (There is Love)"

Terry Jacks ~ "Seasons in the Sun" (I had my first slow dance with my first love in grade 9 to this song...oh god, I was on cloud 9!)

And for all but the Joe Walsh song, I have both vinyl, cassette tape AND CD... man, can you tell where I'm, well maybe not stuck, but sure 'in love'!?

LOL Hope I didn't use up all your space, Julie! Sometimes I just don't know when to quit. LOL

[Julie Anne Long]

Those are GREAT songs, Kathy!! And isn't it funny how More than a Feeling is *about* a song that makes you "close your eyes and drift away," or however the lyric goes -- LOL -- and that's exactly what it makes you do now?? Me, too. I can remember where I was when I first heard "Dreams" -- in the back of my friend Dana's family station wagon. LOL. I had been allowed to go away on vacation to a cabin with them, and we heard it on the way home. And Dana and I made up a dance to "Love Will Keep Us Together." We held a show (we always put on shows) and charged the neighborhood kids a nickle to watch. And I remember roller skating at Roller World to Joe Walsh. :) You'd hold hands with a boy and just skate round and round the rink. Pretty funny.

And that Terry Jacks song used to terrify me!! About someone dying!! LOL. WAsn't it based on a Rod McKuen poem? That, and Mr. Bojangles, where the dog up and died, used to freak me out when I was little. LOL.

[Angel]

In my case, some songs bring back embarrassing or funny haha memories. One that stands out is Madonna's "Borderline".

So the story for this goes...my best friend at that time was into this guy right, and they've been calling each other up almost every night, but when in school, they acted like they didn't know each other (so very typical of my friend *eyes rolling*). So anyway, in the occasion of our Tea Party (this is like Prom but for 5th and 6th grade schoolers), I decided, enough of this. I had to intervene if only for my sanity (by this point I was more impatient than my friend for some "action" - this is typical me LOL). So there we were at the party, seated on these chairs idiotically placed in multiple rows, when the song "Borderline" went on air. I looked around and there he was, catching glimpses at my friend, who, I might point out, was busy trying to time her glimpses of him to not coincide with his (heehee!). Immediately, I elbowed my friend to stand and then I pushed her all the way to the corridor, where, who else should be standing? Uhuh, him! :) He gave her this odd sort of nod, like a combination "what's up?" and "wanna dance?". And then she responded with an equally ambivalent nod of her own that's like, "I'm cool" and "sure" (with a shrug). But it worked! Without even speaking a word, they went to the dance floor and danced the first of many that night!

So now, when I hear the song "Borderline", I crack up :)

[Julie Anne Long]

That's a cute Madonna story, Angel!! I love how you strategized getting your friends together!! LOL. I have a feeling there are a LOT of Madonna stories out there, too.

Two other songs that bring back very specific memories of very specific times and places for me are U2's "New Year's Day" and Big Country's "In a Big Country."

[Julie Anne Long]

I just wanted to add another comment -- this particular blog has received an astounding number of hits today, and I've had a few emails from people (guys) who would NEVER read romance but who share the same Boston memories. It's one of those things where a lot of people were at first like, "Brad who?" and then you say, "Boston," and it's, "Ohhhhhhhhh!!!!" So the news, and the memories, are just beginning to creep up on people. You figure millions of people bought that record, after all. LOL. But Brad Delp wasn't a splashy rock star, so he didn't really make the evening news. And there doesn't seem to be a central place for people to connect and share memories, since the band's website was temporarily replaced with a single sentence on a black background ("We've just lost the nicest guy in rock n' roll.") I think people must be hunting all over for blogs on Brad Delp, and there are quite a few of them out there. This is all just to say: so if you're a guy and you happen upon this blog, don't feel shy about commenting on anything about Brad Delp or Boston, even though this is a pretty girly blog. :) We promise you won't have to read romance. LOL. It's just nice to share memories. Or feel free to just send me an email. (I figure girls will have less of an issue with commenting on a girly blog. LOL.)

[Kathy K]

LoL. Julie, you said it. And when I first read that "Brad Delp" died, I was one of those that went "Who??"...but of course when you said Boston, then I knew. Sure took me aback though. And that video is great! I followed it back to the main site and there were a couple of interviews with Brad and he seemed to be such a wonderful, down-to-earth person.
The world is always poorer when someone like him dies.

[Diana]

I'm not really familiar with Boston's music, although the song title "More Than a Feeling" sounds familiar. Have you read the following about Brad Delp's death?

http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=255077&GT1=7702

[Julie Anne Long]

It's funny, Kathy, but your comment just showed up now for me, and it's time-stamped this morning!! Squirrelly Typepad!! Yeah, a lot of people I know had that response, Kathy -- the Brad who?? -- and then were equally quite surprised to find themselves kind of blindsided when they realized who he was -- in fact, they were more thrown than if he were one of the bigger names lost recently. Who knew Boston represented...*something*...for so many people? Youth?? I'm not sure. It isn't youth, necessarily, for me. And in a way, thanks to him, it doesn't feel like I've lost something, though his loss is sad. It's like I've regained something -- good memories -- and made a few new friends via email. So Boston really was the sum of its parts, in a way, and that's kind of rare in a band of that magnitude. And everyone I know who has a Brad Delp story said he really *was* a mellow-down-to-earth, sweet guy. And those seem rare enough in *any* industry. :)

I hadn't seen that article yet, Diana, so thanks for sharing that link. How terribly hard for his family and extended family, and how sad. Hope he had some joy while he was here, because he certainly helped make a lot of people very happy.

P.S. My friend Dave played "More Than a Feeling" for his 11-year-old son, who liked it. :) (Although he thought the band was newer than Nirvana, so hey, maybe Boston might turn out to be timeless after all.) So the song lives on, and Brad Delp lives on through the song. :)

And a P.P.S -- Just got this note from Dave: "milo was listening to his ipod in bed and he goes 'hey dad guess what my new favorite song is? More than a feeling. it's awesome.' "

So cute! And thus the Boston torch is passed to a new generation. :)

[Julie Anne Long]

OK, it's the weirdest thing, but Typepad says there are 10 comments here -- and I only see eight. Can't even see more when I log into the blog as the administrator. So if you're one of those last two comments, forgive me if I haven't reponded yet -- I can't see you!! LOL. It's kind of surreal!! I'm going to see if *this* comment shows up.

[Kathy K]

LOL... Probably just keeping you on your toes Julie! But it's Friday now, so maybe things will be alright for awhile??

And as for music from the 70's and 80's hitting another generation: My kids are masters at co-opting the music that I listened to as a teen / young adult ~ which means that my records (LP's and 45's) are under attack, and for some reason, I keep misplacing my CD copies of the same albums...Hmmm

Of course then there's the whole Beatles phenomena. The older two have been listening and buying the albums for the last 5 or more years and my 14 year old has a *Huge* selection of Beatles tunes on her IPod and computer Playlist. I hear the Beatles a LOT more now than I ever did before. So funny.

Then there are all the Led Zepplin (my 21 yr old daughter is a *rabid* fan), Pink Floyd, David Bowie and his older stuff, and the list goes on, and on....

[Julie Anne Long]

I think that's one of the foremost responsibilities of parents, Kathy -- making sure they don't grow up listening to terrible music. LOL. Seriously, though, I guess that's how these songs live on, eh? I know my musical leanings are genetic. My parents were never even remotely wild in the least, but I remember getting picked up from high school one day in my mom's station wagon, and there was a paper bag on the seat with an album in it. I looked inside...and it was Black Sabbath's Heaven and Hell. LOL. My mom bought it because she "liked the lyrics." She also used to sing Montrose ("Yeeerrrrrrrrrr rock candy, BAYBAY....") around the house. And we went to sleep at night to Rachmaninoff. :) We were musical egalitarians.

I do think Led Zep and Bowie, in particular, will be timeless, in part because they were both so diverse. And the Beatles are forever. :) Wonder how some of that 80's music will hold up??

[Ranurgis]

I still have no sound on this computer. I'm getting really fed up with that. However, I must admit that "More than a Feeling" does not ring a bell with me. That doesn't mean that I haven't heard it. After all my usual station during the 70s was AFN. But I know why I'm not terribly familiar with the song or even the band "Boston" and that's because I spent the whole of the 70s, Jan. 3, 1970 to Dec. 18, 1979, essentially in Europe, except for a few visits back to Canada.

And Europe is where my most evocative music comes from. It's a classical guitar concerto called "Concierto de Arajuez" by Joaquin Rodrigo. Aranjuez was one of the country palaces for the Spanish royal family. I can remember taking a $20 taxi ride in 1972 to the train station there from Toledo though I didn't see the palace since it was night. I'd missed the train from Toledo to Madrid. One part of this concierto had become a very famous "morsel" of music that could be found on a lot of records of popular music.

However, in 1979 my parents came to do a tour of some of Europe with me before I returned home. After all, I conveniently had a car. One country we all wanted to see more of was Spain. They'd been on a Spain-Morocco-Portugal tour in the spring of 1972. I'd been there with my sister and my cousin later that summer until they decided they'd had had enough of travelling. They had been to Italy and other places while I was still teaching.

One thing I had particularly wanted to see were the prehistoric cave paintings outside the little town of Santillana del Mar close to the long northern coast of Spain. It was an interesting, nearly dangerous, drive along that coast and that slowed us down so that we got to the caves too late. We decided to leisurely explore Santillana instead.

Since my father had suffered a stroke almost 6 years before, I let my parents wander around on their own.

Almost as soon as we entered the town (car left in parking lot outside), we heard some music. At first we couldn't identify it but gradually we became more and more certain that it was Rodrigo's Concierto, especially when that most famous part came on. It was a beautiful little town. The houses were well cared for, flowers grew on almost every balcony and there were no cars to be seen. It was like stepping into a medieval village. Our goal was the church at the opposite end of the village where we would meet up again. Throughout the whole place we could hear this music, except for the brief time we were in the church which, like all Catholic churches at that time was open to whoever wanted to come in. I don't remember much about it but as soon as we were back outside we could hear the music again. There were fields beyond the church and the whole place was very idyllic and the music was just the right note to complete the feel, the look of the place. It touched all three of us profoundly.

I can never hear the Concierto without seeing Santillana in my mind as well. It was truly one of the most memorable moments of the trip.

[Ranurgis]

Well, we weren't quite egalitarians around our house while I was at home. Maybe as new immigrants my parents stuck very closely to their musical roots and that's what I grew up with. Of course, I'd hear the occasional Elvis song but when my German friend Sigrid wrote me about the lovely song "Tutti Frutti", I was totally non-plussed.

It was during the time that I was in France and Germany while Elvis was doing his military duty there, that things changed in our house. I came back to rock and roll rocking our house. The younger of my two brothers especially is a big music hound. He gets mad at me for all my books, but his LP, cassette and DVD collection *must* have cost more than my books. It's just that books take up more space.

So I started picking up some of the new music as well but that's when I grew to love the time when I was home alone and could put on a record played as loud as I wanted. Aah, heaven.

The rest of the time I had to listen to our Mennonite station and later CBC Stereo on FM on the radio in my room. Or listen with my parents to the stereo when the "kids" weren't home.

I also had a subscription to the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra from the time I was 14. It was a present from my grandmother. At the moment I can't remember how long, several years at least. That's where I met the first woman-composer I'd heard about. She came with her husband, the curator of what passed for our museum in those days. Since we all sat in the balcony, we'd sometimes share intermission conversations. I think I didn't know who they were right away because then I would have been too awestruck to approach them. But probably they took pity on this young girl who always came to the concerts alone. Besides, they spoke German too.

So I'm no longer a die-hard classical fan but it's certainly what I prefer. Most of the popular music I like is more the instrumental kind.

[Julie Anne Long]

I really love hearing your stories, Ranurgis -- you really have had quite a colorful life. And you told your story so well, I could picture it vividly. I've lived in the United States my whole life, so I enjoy hearing about these other places. I'm going to try to track down Concierto de Arajuez so I can hear it, too. It cracked me up hearing about your brother, too (is this Bippy??) -- much of what we listened to in my house was at first dictated by my brother, who was older, had more money, and could buy his own records. Happily, I liked pretty much what he liked, and not just because that's what was pouring out of his room. And then I developed my own tastes and got my own stereo. LOL.

I love classical music -- like I said, I grew up with as much classical as everything else, the common denominator being, primarily, that all the music was visceral or moving in some way. I mean, I liked Debussy and UFO (a 1970's hair band) just about equally. :) ONe of the funny things about my new MySpace page is that I've added Joshua Bell and Yo-Yo Ma as my "friends." They're both extraordinary musicians.

I'm going to try to blog something tomorrow -- it's been a nutty week! Hope you guys are doing great. The weather here is simply exquisite (Diana can probably speak to that!!) Sunny and warm. Though we're still at 76% of rainfall for the season, and we may not get much more at all. According to my favorite weather guy on Channel 2. :)

[Diana]

The weather is indeed exquisite here, although I think it's supposed to rain on Sunday.

I currently feel like crap because I have a headache. :( I left work early today, took a nap when I got home, and felt better, but now I feel headachy again. Earlier today at work I sort of felt like throwing up, too. I'm supposed to go to LA on Saturday, so I hope I feel better real soon. I might take tomorrow off.

[Julie Anne Long]

You know, this nice weather is bringing all kinds of lovely allergies with it, too, Diana. I had that sleepy/heavy feeling for much of the day today, and sometimes allergies make you nauseous. I really hope that's what's going on for you, and not a cold or a flu -- and I *had* that flu that was going around. Very briefly, mercifully, but it wasn't fun. Isn't it funny how our bodies always KNOW we're going to get some time off, and use those days to get sick??

LA as in Los Angeles, or Louisiana?? Sounds like fun, regardless!! Get better!!

[Diana]

I don't think I have allergies because I've never had allergies. It was either something I ate that didn't agree with me or catching something being around 4- and 5-year-old kids at work, who are a germ factory. I love them, but they are a germy bunch. :P I feel all right at the moment, but not 100% better (feeling headachy here and there). I don't fly to Los Angeles until tomorrow (late afternoon), so I hope I feel better by then.

[Microsoft Office]

I’ve been opened to listen and understand what the bible says..god